John Whaite and Johannes Radebe’s Come Dancing seriously about their success as the first – almost final male couple | News about Ant-Man & Art

“I learned good things about myself – things that I didn’t think I could do, I can do,” says John Whaite, former Bake Off winner and current semi-finalist. The end of Serious Video Games said. “I can be an openly gay man, sometimes a bit pompous and flashy, and that’s not a bad thing. People like that.”

12 weeks of tango-ing, salsa-ing and rumba-ing his way Strict with dance partner Johannes Radebe was like “intensity therapy” he told Sky News. “I feel like I’ve made huge improvements not only in my footwork but also in my mind.”

Whaite, who rose to fame winning the third series of The Great British Bake Off in 2012, topped the jury charts three times with Radebe, and the pair have become favorite contenders with viewers at home.

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They were the show’s first same-sex couple, followed by Olympic boxing champions Nicola Adams and Katya Jones’ first female pair, who had to withdraw after Jones tested positive for COVID. -19 – in 2020. The series has been a Breakthrough Year for Serious on Screen Performance, with EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis also being the first deaf contestant to participate.

Speaking during a break in practice, Whaite said the reaction to his combination has been one of “overwhelming support” – although Radebe admits there is still “a long way to go” “.

“I feel incredibly proud,” Whaite said. “This is what we’ve been fighting for, whether it’s the gay community, the deaf community, any ethnic minority that has less of a life or has suffered.

“We fought for each other’s rights and freedoms and to be able to do this now on a huge platform … and there was no question around it – we had very little hatred. hate, very little disappointment, we’ve got plenty of support and love – and to be able to do that, it shows how far we’ve come in terms of our attitude to diversity. general form.”

Whaite says that with a platform that has millions of viewers like Serious, “all it takes is the first spark to create a huge fire that pervades the entire industry.”

Now, there’s no turning back when it comes to on-screen performance, he said. “People won’t let us go back. Those who fight for our freedom, fight for our freedom, we won’t take our eyes off the ball, we won’t retreat to the darker times that it just straight forward, white people on TV.

“This is representative of real life, about being human. And it’s exciting to see that. But it’s a shame it’s gone on for so long.”

Radebe said that he “never, ever thought this moment would come” and that “it’s great that everyone is so hungry to be a part of the show”. However, he went on to add that while the pair have received “kind messages and support”, there have also been some who have said “terrible things”. “It shows how far we have come, but how much longer we have to go,” he said.

The pair also discussed their motivations to dance together as two men, with Whaite praising Radebe for putting so much effort backstage into making the choreography.

“Different dynamics,” says Radebe. “If I had someone smaller, anything was possible. But we had to find something that would work for us choreographically. It’s a challenge because it takes away so much of what you have. being able to do … those spectacular things, that glamor, the things that people enjoy.

“Last time we did a dance performance, I thought, we don’t have a nice dress to use around the dance floor and hide our mistakes, we were exposed. But I had to. ingenious… I have to say, there hasn’t been a book about what we’re doing right now. We actually have to create it while we’re working on it. And that’s the fun of all. “

Whaite, who previously in 2021 has spoken out publicly about bulimia and has been open about being depressed in the past, said he has learned a lot about himself during his career. Join the Serious program.

“In terms of my body image, body dysmorphia and eating disorders… if you treat your body with respect and kindness, it can accomplish amazing things,” he said. and so beautiful,” he said. “I think we’re all very hard on ourselves, emotionally and physically, and sometimes we need to step back a bit and say, actually, taking a break will do me good, eat a little bit. This pastry will help me well. , mentally. It’s giving you some idle time.”

Whaite also vowed to keep dancing after Seriously “whatever happens on the dance floor,” as the final – and potentially the competition’s glittering trophy – approaches.

“We said it’s not about the competition, it’s not about what the judges think, it’s not about what the public thinks, it’s about how we feel we did as a team. partner because dancing is about,” he said. “I think if you’re hanging from the glitter ball – as awesome as it would look on my rack unit, I won’t lie – you take your eyes off the ball.”

Watch John and Johannes in the semi-final Serious to Dancing on BBC1 on Saturday night